marsh

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 沼 has 8 strokes and denotes a swamp or marsh.
• Basic usage: 沼 is read ぬま, and 泥沼 is read どろぬま.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Terrain and comparison
  • 沼のようにぬかるんだ compares muddy conditions to a swamp.
• A discussion in a quagmire
  • 議論は互いの非難が続く泥沼に陥った means the discussion fell into a quagmire of ongoing mutual accusations.
  • Here, 泥沼 describes a situation that is difficult to escape.